Complete Controller Software for Sim (Racing) Rigs

[TheBigO]

Hello all,

I have a little Xmas present for you. In the past few months I've been working on a software as an integrated solution to control every aspect of our beloved sim rigs. The basic idea is to put your button box in total control of every aspect of the simulation, including tactile and motion feedback, if available. But you can also control your ingame chat system, launch telemtry software, and so on. The possibilities are endless. But since every button box has only a restriced set of controls, I introduced a layer concept, which allow the button box to implement context-sensitive bindings of control functions to actions.

Beside that, the software can control all your favorite applications and simulation games and combine them into one seamless user experience. But take a look at the main features:

* Connect all your external controller, like Button Boxes, to one single center of control
* An unlimited number of layers of functions and actions, called modes, can be defined for your controller. Switch between modes simply by pushing a button or switch a toggle on your controller.
* Modes are defined and handled by plugins, which can be implemented on your own using an objecct oriented scripting language.
* Configurable, visual feedback for your controller actions
* Define your own Button Box visual and integrate it with the Simulator Controller using the simple plugin support. Depending on configuration, this window will popup whenever an action is triggered from your controller, even during active simulation.
* Code your own functions to be called by the controller buttons and switches using the simple, object-oriented scripting language
* Configure all additional applications to your taste, including the simulation games used for your virtual races
* Start and stop applications from your controller hardware or automatically upon configurable events
* Add splash screens and title melodies using a themes editor for a more emotional startup experience
* Full support for sophisticated application automation - for example, start your favorite voice chat software like TeamSpeak and automatically switch to your standard channel
* Several plugins are supplied out of the box:
* Support for Assetto Corsa and Assetto Corsa Competizione already builtin
* Fully customizable plugins supplied for total control of SimHub and SimFeedback - change your settings while racing using the dials and switches on your favorite Button Box
* Send your predefined kudos and rants to the ingame chat without touching the keyboard
* Additional support to trigger every function and action from external sources like a voice or gesture recognition software to always keep your hands on the wheel
* Builtin support for visual head tracking to control ingame viewing angle

Every aspect of the Controller software can be configured using graphical tools:

The software is free for anyone for non-commercial use. You can download the latest build at GitHub. Also take a look at the very extensive documentation, including lots of stuff for developers.

And now - have fun. Happy Xmas, a good start into the next year and stay healthy...

TheBigO

 

[TheBigO]

There are three interesting new features this week:

1. The Telemtry Analyzer of the "Setup Workbench" can now give acoustic feedback when oversteer or understeer is detected. A short tone of different pitches and volumes reflects the type and intensity of the event.
2. From now on you can configure your own commands and modes for button boxes or stream decks with any defined own functions. This means that aspects in the simulation and any software installed on the PC can be controlled directly via the connected hardware controllers and not just the functions of the simulator controller package itself, as was previously the case.
3. All applications now register the currently running simulation and automatically adjust to it when they are started by "Simulator Startup".

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-511
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

You can now request the Spotter to give you periodic information about a specific car. Very useful when you want to keep an eye on your toughest opponent. The Spotter then informs you about the gap, lap times, pit stops or accidents, just as he does for the cars directly in front of you and behind you.

As always, you can find many other smaller improvements and bug fixes in the release notes.

Next week, we can welcome the newest member of the Simulator Controller family, the Practice Center. This app will help you to get the most out of your practice sessions, like the Race Center is doing already for your (team) races.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-512
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

Release 5.2 brings you a new application in the Simulator Controller family. You can use the "Practice Center" during your training sessions or even during solo races. It provides you with largely the same data and insights as the team-oriented "Race Center" - data about your performance and that of your opponents, but also a wide range of information about the technical data of your car. At the end of a session, you decide which of these data should be transferred to the local database for future evaluations or for strategy development.

Beside that, all applications now detect and document invalid laps an the detection of pitstops "Race Center" and now also in the "Practice Center" has been improved.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-520
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

This week welcomes the second release of the new "Practice Center" and it comes with many fixes, a couple of new reports including a real time telemetry graph, an analyzer for "missing" data and lots of other small improvements. But that's not all, as usual. See the long list of other improvements in the release notes.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-521
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

This week's release is again packed with new stuff, because as the last functional release for the "Practice Center" for the time being, it brings the long-awaited practice run sheets. These give you hints as to which training sessions would be most useful, at least with regard to completing your telemetry data collection.

And there is a new voice command for the Strategist and the Spotter and in the "Race Center" the route planning has been improved and the next tyre set can now be automatically selected when preparing a pit stop.

As always, there are a few more new features, all of which are mentioned in the release notes.

The project is now going on summer break and there will be no major feature updates until the end of September. During this time, the installation and configuration process will be revised, which is still far too complicated. You may be curious.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-522
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

Today I'm bringing you the most extensive update in the 3-year history of Simulator Controller in the backpack of my holidays. Here are just the most important changes, for everything else take a look at the very detailed Release Notes.

1. The installation and configuration process has been comprehensively revised and now offers basic and advanced configuration. With the basic configuration, which already includes all assistants with voice control, the package can be put into operation with just a few details, which makes it extremely easy, especially for new users, and significantly lowers the barrier to entry. It now takes less than 5 minutes and you can collect your first experiences on the track.

2. There are a variety of new voice commands to request information about cars ahead or your pursuers, which is extremely helpful, especially for VR users. Names, vehicle class and category, latest lap times, etc. are available.

3. The Spotter now compares your pace with that of other cars in the field and tells you up to which position ahead you could keep up well or are even faster.

4. As a very special treat, the Spotter can now tell you exactly on which part of the track an attack on the car ahead can be successful, or where you have to arm yourself against attacks by your pursuer.

5. "Race Center" and "Practice Center" now also record the sector times and make them available in various reports.

Attention: This version makes extensive changes to the configuration database. Therefore, as always, make a backup. And be sure to read the Update Notes. They describe how you can get access to the new possibilities of "Simulator Setup" with an existing configuration.


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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-530
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

Release 5.3.1 is online with many fixes for the new functionalities introduced with the 5.3.0. But there are also some small improvements and additions you will like. Details can be found in the Release Notes, as always.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-531
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

Today's Release 5.3.2 once again contains many fixes and quality improvements. It also contains an important update to the automatic handling of tyre sets for an upcoming tyre change. Please take a look at the Release Notes and the Update Notes, since you may have to adjust to the change in your configuration.

Next week, we can welcome a complete new assistant, the Virtual Driving Coach. Stay tuned...

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-532
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

Today is a great day. We can welcome a new member in the family of Assistants of Simulator Controller. The new Assistant is your personal Driving Coach. You can discuss any aspect of handling issues, car physics or race strategy with this Assistant. And since this is Assistant is based on GPT technology and uses a large language model, your conversations will be quite natural. Here is a 10-minute video with a typical conversation:

As you may have recognized, the Assistant gives quite general answers at the moment, but this is only the first stage of development. During the next releases, the Driving Coach will get access to more and more data available in Simulator Controller incl. full information about a running session (positions, lap times, and so on), but also telemetry data of your car and - most important - data about the handling of your car, using the telemetry analyzer of "Setup Workbench".

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-540
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

IMPORTANT: It has been reported, that in some rare situations the installation and update procedure can go into an infinite loop with Simulator Controller starting itself over and over again. This happens epsecially, if your Windows user has been created with Admin privileges. This will be fixed with the next release, but for now you have to manually fix your installation:

1. Download the full installation package using this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/l36k...full.zip?rlkey=3iwvjptch4qgtrt1j1ij8h79e&dl=1

2. Open the current [Program] folder ( NOT [Documents]\Simulator Controller, but the folder, where the software has been installed ), and delete everything there.

3. Drop everything from the ZIP file into the now empty [Program] folder. This should do the job.

Sorry for the inconvenience...

 

[TheBigO]

Today's release brings a lot of new functions and capabilities for the new assistant, the Driving Coach. He now has access to the data of a running session, such as position development, lap times and sector times, even in multiclass races. In addition, he uses the Telemetry Analyzer of the "Setup Workbench" and can therefore give you concrete advice on handling problems for adjusting your driving style and, if necessary, suggestions for adjusting the setup. And there are still many minor changes and additions, so read the Release Notes carefully.

The second big change concerns the Telemetry Analyzer of the "Setup Workbench", which has been greatly expanded and can now also detect temperature problems with tyres and brakes and make suggestions for changing the setup.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-541
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

Release 5.4.2 brings many important fixes, especially for the endless loop, some user experienced during installation. It also comes with a couple of improvements on pitstop calculations including the time needed for service and repairs, and also - finally - better support for monitors with activated DPI scaling.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-542
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

The main feature of this week is the initial integration with the Google Cloud Services. You now are able to use the famous Google voices for the Assistants, beside the already available Windows based speech generation and the support for Azure Cognitive Services. Further integration with the Google Cloud in the next releases will make Google speech recognition available and will also provide you with the opportunity to use the Google Generative AI services as a foundation for the Virtual Driving Coach. Google provides a free contingent for most of its services similar to Azure. Therefore we have a good alternative here.

And I also created a short video for all newcomers which demonstrates how to setup Simulator Controller within a couple of minutes. Sure, you will have to come back later, to get to the more complex stuff, but you will be up n running with a few clicks, I promise.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-543
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

Today we're completing support for Google Speech Services. Speech recognition is now also available. In addition, there is a new set of settings in the "Session Database". With their help, the autonomy of the assistants can be fine-tuned to give them the freedom to make decisions independently and take action accordingly, without asking the driver for consent. I recommend only using these settings if enough data has been collected and stored in the "Session Database" so that the assistant's decisions, e.g. in the event of an upcoming change in the weather, are appropriately based.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-544
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

Many small improvements are part of release 5.4.5. Take notes in the "Practice Center" about changes or special conditions or experience the new model additions of OpenAI for the "Driving Coach", to name a few. And, thanks to our Discord community member @SlatMars, who is currently working on a translation for the French language, you can experience large parts of the user interface in French. The translations will be completed with the next releases, including the grammars for the Assistants.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-545
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

The most important addition this week is the integration of a runtime for large language models like GPT 3/4 as part of Simulator Controller. You can configure the Driving Coach to use this runtime instead of the API services of OpenAI or Azure and alike. Unless you have a really High-End PC setup, you will not be able to interact with the Driving Coach, while you are running a simulation, though, and it will be much slower than using the OpenAI integration. But it is really exciting, what has become possible lately.

Other important changes and additions:

- You can set your preference for different pitstop strategies (early stop vs. late stop) for strategy simulations in “Strategy Workbench”.
- UI translation for the French language has been enhanced.
- The reliability of the automated pitstop setting for ACC has been further improved.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-546
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

With today's release, the assistants have mastered the French language - many thanks to @SlatMars for his work and dedication. Additionally, the Spotter no longer annoys you with proximity warnings during the formation lap and you can find further improvements in the release notes.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-547
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

This week we have some new stuff in the session info widgets in the "System Monitor" and the French translation has been alsmost completed. Only the setup wizard is left for translation. And a new version of the "Tactile Feedback" plugin reflects the latest changes in SimHub.

Beside that, I have moved the version repository for installation and updates to the Amazon cloud, since we had seen a couple of stability issues with DropBox recently. Nevertheless, this is really new stuff, therefore let me know immediately, if you have problems with install or updating Simulator Controller.

Next stop: Anniversary release on the 6th December...

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-548
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

Today Simulator Controller celebrates its third birthday. The first commit on GitHub was on December 6, 2020, exactly three years ago, and a lot has happened since then. Some numbers:

7 supported games
23 applications
4 AI-Based Assistants

7 programming languages (C, C#, C++, JavaScript, AutoHotkey, Python, Rule Engine (self developed))
200.000 lines of code (roughly)
7000 and more commits on GitHub
400 pages of documention
25+ hours video tutorials

4-5 hours per day working on the project, roughly 5000 hours in total

As in previous years, this year there is also a very cool new feature with the Anniversary Release. A new switch has been added to the "Race Settings" that allows you to give the assistants full autonomy in terms of strategy and pit stop handling. This means that the Assistants will no longer ask the driver for confirmation when they want to change strategy, go for an undercut, prepare for a pit stop, etc. And they take action independently whenever necessary. This turns the Assistants into Agents and you can concentrate 100% on driving. This will work even in team races as long as at least one "Race Center" is connected to the session.

And there is another gift from a community member for today. @Jordan Moss has built a plugin for SimHub that allows all the data provided by the Assistants to be integrated into a dashboard in SimHub. For example, you can now see when the next pit stop is due and what service is planned for the stop, and much more. To get the plugin, all you have to do is register with us in Discord.

As you can see, the development of the Simulator Controller Assistants into a completely virtual, intelligent pit crew continues. And maybe you'll use the 3rd Anniversary as an opportunity to support the project if you haven't already done so. I don't drink coffee, but training AI Assistants is a very complex and expensive task...

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-550
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6

 

[TheBigO]

Last feature release for 2023. It includes a couple of improvements in the "Race Center" and you can now change pitstop settings using the standard game controls after a pitstop has been planned and prepared by the Engineer. The changes will be reflected in the pitstop plan, at least in ACC, rF2 and iRacing.

I will be back in the next year with a new startup wizard that helps you preparing everything for your next session.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-551
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6